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Patricia FumertonEarly Modern Center - English DepartmentUniversity of CaliforniaSanta Barbara, CA 93105United States of AmericaEMail: pfumer@english.ucsb.edu

S1159532a dainty new tuneUNKNOWNA Dainty New Tunethe same tuneUNKNOWNThe Same TuneNOr morning red / nor blusihng faire,HEr nose and chin / are now grown friends,So old, / So wondrous old, / In the nonage of time, / Ere Adam wore a beard / she was in her prime.So old, / So wondrous old, / In the nonage of time / Ere Adam wore a beard / she was in her prime.Roxburghe BalladsEditorNoneNoneNoneNone
Information in this section of the Source Description
refers to the original ballad manuscript.
1: 3361: 337The olde Bride, / OR / The gilded Beauty.The olde Bride,
OR
The gilded Beauty.
The old Bride,
OR
The gilded Beauty.
1633-1633Thomas Lambert

NOr morning rednor blushing faire,Be through your glasseor curtaine spide:But cloudy gray,like the short haireOf your old ever-lasting Bride.So old,So wondrous old,In the nonage of time,Ere Adam wore a beardshe was in her prime.Whose swarthy dryWestphalia lips,Are sunke to mumyin her skin,Whose gums are empty,and her lipsLike eye-lids hairy,and as thin:So old,So wondrous old,In the nonage of time,Ere Adam wore a beardshe was in her prime.

For amorous sighswhich Virgins use,She coughs aloudthrough lungs decaid,And with her palsiecannot chuseBut quake like tremblingof a maid:So old,So wondrous old,in the nonage of timeEre Adam wore a beardshe was in her prime.If that her Bridegroomebe ill sped,Hees not the firstthat hath been sad:For hees the lastheire to her bed,Of seven beforethat she hath had.So old,So wondrous old,In the nonage of timeEre Adam wore a beardshe was in her prime.

Why should her husbandthen vexe heaven,Or for a plenteousoff-spring beg?Since all the issuecan be given,Is that which runnethin her leg.So old,So wondrous old,in the nonage of timeEre Adam wore a beardshe was in her prime.Of losing herthere is no doubt.Nor need you askewhere she doth dwell:For you may easilyscent her out,As hounds do findetheir game by th smel.So old,So wondrous old,in the nonage of timeEre Adam wore a beardshe was in her prime.

The second part, To the same tune.

HEr nose and chinare now grown friends,& meet togetherlovingly:From danger theseher mouth defends,So neere they joynein unity.So old,So wondrous old,in the nonage of timeEre Adam wore a beardshe was in her prime.Her painting servesher turne no more,Her face is likea ruind wallThat hath so oftbeen plaisterd ore,With age at lengthit needs must fall.So old,So wondrous old,in the nonage of timeEre Adam-wore a beardshe was in her prime.Her husband hathno cause to dread,(As many doethrough jealousie)

That any willdefile his bed,Theres none will usesuch charity,So old,So wondrous old,in the nonage of timeEre Adam wore a beardshe was in her prime.What hath been spokenis not meantAny old womanto disgrace,But she who isto mariage bent,When deaths charactersin her face.So old,So wondrous old,in the nonage of timeEre Adam word a beardshe was in her prime.

FINIS.Printed at London forThomas Lambert, at thesign of the Hors-shooin Smithfield.